Electronics Recycling Center Now Open in Wilson Borough

Televisions and computer monitors await being recycled.
Image courtesy of Free Cycle LLC

By Christina Georgiou

Under a new state law that went into effect in January, trash haulers can no longer accept unwanted electronic equipment with regular trash, leaving consumers to responsibly find ways to dispose of these items themselves, often with a fee attached.

But those in the local area can now conveniently drop off most of these items for free, and others for a small fee, at Green Environmental Recycling (GER) Solutions' Free Cycle, an electronics recycling center that has just opened in Wilson Borough.

Johnny Johnson, owner of GER and Free Cycle (not connected with the YahooGroups network of the same name), said the transition was a natural progression. His company has worked with local school districts and companies that needed a responsible way to recycle their old computers and other electronics for a number of years.

"When the law changed, it was pretty easy to say, 'We can do this,'" he said.

The recycling center, located at 1120 South 25th St., is open every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., and on the first Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The EPA-permitted company also has another drop-off center in Allentown.

"Our promise to the communities and businesses is that we truly recycle all acceptable waste, and that we handle it in a manner intended to keep our environment clean and safe from harmful and hazardous chemicals that leach into our environment," says a statement on Free Cycle's website. "All equipment that is found in working order is resold to companies who refurbish and recycle back into the community. GER Solutions requires that all downstream markets for reusable equipment are an environmentally friendly company."

The center also promises that none of the final destinations for the goods will be landfills.

The list of items that the new recycling center accepts is long and comprehensive, alphabetically, from alarm clocks to weed wackers, with lots of computers and computer-related equipment in between.

For refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, and other items that use coolants that require recovery, FreeCycle charges a $20 fee per item.

A few items, such as batteries, lamps, and fire alarms and smoke detectors, are not accepted, along with paint and chemicals that have been deemed hazardous waste, though Johnson said he's looking into ways to be able to accept these items in the future, he said.

While the two drop off centers are convenient for those local to the Lehigh Valley, any Pennsylvania resident is welcome to drop off their unwanted goods that qualify, he added.

"We just want to keep this stuff out of the landfills," Johnson said.

For a complete list of items the recycling center will accept or more information about the electronics recycling center, visit www.freecyclellc.com